International Rules game to go west
The GAA has today announced that the first of this year's International Rules Test matches between Ireland and Australia will take place at Pearse Stadium in Galway.
The Salthill venue will host the series' first Test on the weekend of October 28/29.
Renovated and reopened in 2003 at a cost of €150,000, Pearse Stadium has a capacity of 34,000.
Originally opened in 1957, the area on which the stadium was built was known locally as "The Boggers".
The 17-acre site was offered to the GAA by the town secretary Sean Gillan.
To move a Rules Test match away from Dublin is a ground-breaking move by the GAA.
Since the hybrid game was resurrected in 1998, Croke Park has played host to all eight of the Irish-based Test matches - the last of which was in 2004 when Pete McGrath's Ireland side roared to a second Test win and 132-82 aggregate series victory.
Crowds of 46,370 and 60,515 watched the 2004 Test matches at the Dublin 3 venue.
The 2006 series' second Test will take place at Croke Park on the weekend of November 4/5.
If floodlights have been installed at headquarters by that time, the game will take place on Saturday night.
If not, it will be played on Sunday afternoon.
The Pearse Stadium tussle could also be played out under floodlights on Saturday night.
A decision on match scheduling will take place at a later date.
